Bikers most vulnerable

A preliminary summary by the State Government found 161 people were killed on WA roads in 2015.

Twenty-one of those were on a motorcycle, despite the two-wheeled transport making up less than 6 per cent of licensed vehicles on WA roads.

Speed was a standout factor in many of those deaths, while one quarter of all fatalities were the result of another vehicle turning in front of the rider.

That prompted RAC corporate affairs general manager Will Golsby to stress that road safety was a two-way street.

“All road users must remain vigilant,” he said.

“Motorists need to keep an eye out for motorcycles when changing lanes and approaching intersections and appreciate the instability and braking difficulty of two wheels compared with four.

“Riders should remain aware of their surroundings, wear high-visibility protective clothing and avoid sitting in a motorist’s blind spot.”

Ian Read, from Barbagallo Mandurah, was knocked from his motorbike by a four-wheel-drive on the Kwinana Freeway in July 2011.

He was rushed to hospital with a damaged right knee, a shattered lower leg and an impaled pelvis, on top of cuts and bruises, after coming to a stop under fencing near the Beeliar Drive-Armadale Road off-ramp.

Miraculously Mr Read recovered to be crowned the Australian National Drag Racing Association’s Modified Bike Champion last July, four years after being told his riding days were over.

“We all need to share the roads and be courteous to each other,” he said. “Allow yourself more time to get to your destination and be mindful of other road users.”